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Sivagangai Seemai
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Wikipedia article
'Sivagangai Seemai' is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by K. Shankar and written by Kannadasan. Based on the life of the Maruthu Pandiyars, the film stars S. S. Rajendran, S. Varalakshmi, Kamala Lakshmanan and M. N. Rajam. It was released on 19 May 1959.
Plot
After the execution of Veerapandiya Kattabomman on 16 October 1799 at Kayattar, Chinna Marudhu gave asylum to Kattabomman's brother Oomadurai. The British used this reason to invade and attack Sivaganga in 1801 with a powerful army. The Maruthu Pandiyars and their allies were quite successful and captured three districts from the British. The British considered it as a serious threat to their future in India that they rushed additional troops from Britain to put down the Maruthu Pandiyars' rebellion.
Cast
;Male cast
* S. S. Rajendran as Muthazhagu
* P. S. Veerappa
* T. K. Bhagavathi
* M. K. Mustafa
* D. V. Narayanasami
* G. Muthukrishnan
* P. S. Venkatachalam
* Raja Wahab Kashmiri as Colonel Welsh
* K. M. Nambirajan
* Dakshinamurthi
* Rathnam
* Karikol Raj
* S. P. Veerasami
* S. A. G. Sami
;Female cast
* S. Varalakshmi
* M. N. Rajam
* Kamala Lakshmanan as Chittu
* N. Lalitha
* Kumari Radha
* Jaya
* Sakunthala
;Dance
*SayeeSubbulakshmi
Production
The film began production under the title 'Oomaiyan Kottai' with M. G. Ramachandran starring, but it got shelved as Ramachandran was busy with politics. The same project was revived as 'Sivagangai Seemai'. This was Kannadasan's second home production and he wrote the film's script.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack features 16 songs composed by ViswanathanRamamoorthy. Lyrics were by Kannadasan. The song "Kanavu Kanden" is set in Mukhari raga.
Release and reception
'Sivagangai Seemai' was released on 19 May 1959, delayed from April. Because the majority of male characters in the film had thick moustaches, the Tamil magazine 'Kumudam' called it "'Sivagangai Meesai'", with "'Meesai'" meaning "moustache". Kanthan of 'Kalki' said the film was not visually appealing, and overabundant with verbosity. The film was not a success, but because of its theme and historic content, it acquired cult status in later years.
References
Bibliography
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